Maratha quota stir: CM Eknath Shinde questions Manoj Jarange's motives

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday raised questions about Maratha quota activist Manoj Jaranges motives and wondered who was behind Jaranges recent diatribe against the government reported news agency PTIThe activist keeps changing his demands Shinde said in the legislative councilMaratha quota stir I wonder who is behind Jaranges severe criticismHe was responding to a demand by BJP leader of the house Pravin Darekar that stern action be taken against Jarange who recently accused deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis of trying to kill himI found Jarange to be a genuine person when he started the protest for Maratha reservation But he kept changing his demands I wonder who is behind Jaranges severe criticismwhat is the motive It will come out eventually Shinde said reported PTIAlso Read Maratha quota Manoj Jarange Patil others booked for illegal protests seeking reservation under OBC categoryEarlier in the day Maharashtra assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar directed the government to set up an SIT and conduct a comprehensive inquiry into Jaranges controversial remarks against FadnavisMaratha quota stir SIT against JarangeBoth the houses passed the bill offering reservation to the Maratha community unanimously without holding any discussion But opposition leaders have started claiming that the passed bill will not stand the legal test If someone comes forward and provides reasons for their claim the government will give proper response on how it will pass the test the chief minister said reported PTIThose who were in power for long did not give reservation to the Marathas he said taking a swipe at the Congress and undivided NCP reported PTIWhen the earlier Maratha reservation act was challenged in the Supreme Court it was not defended by the then state government The Maharashtra government lost the case because of its ineffectiveness Shinde further claimed without naming then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray reported PTINotably Shinde was one of the members of the cabinet subcommittee set up by Thackeray to help with the legal battle in the SCMaratha quota stir Jarange expresses regretMeanwhile Under flak Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Tuesday expressed regret for using abusive language during the agitationHe once again targeted Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis alleging that he has ordered the removal of the tent at the protest site in Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna districtWith inputs from PTI